The Archbishop's Directive

What is Called for More?
Called for More is a multi-year, Archdiocesan initiative to implement the three top priorities of Archbishop Perez, namely:

1. Move from crisis to hope.
2. Build up resources for the sake of the mission.
3. Develop a culture, in the parishes and Archdiocese, of missionary discipleship.    

How does the initiative involve Saint Monica?
A team of parishioners met with the Pastor to develop a three-year strategic plan. With the assistance of the Catholic Leadership Institute, this “Envisioning Team” examined the strengths and challenges of our parish using the Disciple Maker Index survey. They incorporated parishioners' input gleaned from the "Synod Listening Session" held in May 2022. The Envisioning Team was then called upon to identify unique Saint Monica values. Three Parish Priorities and six corresponding "SMART Goals" were developed based on those parish values. Finally, the Team will be calling upon parishioners to fulfill the implementation of the three Parish Priorities over the next several years. 

What are the other components?
Besides parish renewal, Called for More also has a component which will focus on the priests of the Archdiocese. Every priest in the Archdiocese will be required to develop a personal "Priest Growth Plan." The plan will include basic information such as current age, projected retirement age, previous assignments, language proficiency, advanced degrees, and additional skill sets. Ministry and personal preferences will be discussed. This includes ministry settings, living preferences, and a perspective of the priest skills drawn from personal reflection and input from other priests and lay people. Finally, priests will take a behavior and skill set inventory to determine strengths, styles, and skills.     

Saint Monica submitted our Parish Priorities/Goals and the Priest Growth Plan in Spring 2023. Saint Monica had already been setting the groundwork for this initiative for several months with the Synod Listening Session and Called for More Focus Groups.